Davide Valsecchi names which ‘impressive’ F1 rookie is already on the same career trajectory as Oscar Piastri

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Oscar Piastri has burst into life during the 2025 Formula 1 season and deserves to be in the lead of the drivers’ championship by a comfortable margin.

So far, no one has been able to match the McLaren driver’s speed or consistency, and it’s why the rest of the grid combined has as many victories as he does.

Piastri is currently the favourite to win the title and he’s earned that tag. Now there is an expectation to deliver, the dynamic may change.

His lead in the drivers’ championship is 22 points over teammate Lando Norris, affording him a mechanical retirement if the worst-case scenario should unfold at any track.

Norris must learn from Piastri’s ‘killer instinct’ and limit his mistakes in qualifying if he wants to score more points on a Sunday. It’s putting him behind the eight ball too early on.

One McLaren decision caused a ‘bit of unrest’ between their drivers after a front axle change which seemed to suit the Briton more than the Aussie.

READ MORE: People in the F1 paddock are laughing at the phrase McLaren keep using about Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris

Davide Valsecchi thinks Kimi Antonelli is on the same trajectory as Oscar Piastri

Another driver who has impressed this year is Formula 1 rookie Kimi Antonelli, who has been tasked with filling the shoes left by Lewis Hamilton.

Antonelli is the opposite of Piastri, and recently secured his first podium at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

Fellow countryman Davide Valsecchi believes that if Antonelli continues as he has started, he will end up being just as impressive as Piastri has been.

“I know that in this Formula 1 probably, to get there in the speed in qualifying, you need to have a bit of experience, because Piastri has shown that,” he said.

“That in the first year, was not so competitive and the second one was better and now he’s the best, or one of the best. So, the trajectory that he’s having is quite impressive and he’s the third youngest man being on [the] podium in Formula 1. That means something.”

READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli likened to Ayrton Senna on his F1 debut for one reason after displaying his ‘pure raw talent’

Davide Valsecchi spots one ‘huge advantage’ Kimi Antonelli has at Mercedes

Being an Italian rider is a huge responsibility for Antonelli, and winning a race would see him become the country’s first victor since Giancarlo Fisichella nearly 20 years ago.

Fisichella did a lot during his Formula 1 career and also drove for Ferrari – a massive deal for any Italian driver.

Avoiding a seat with the Scuderia early in his career is something that Valsecchi believes is a good thing for Antonelli.

“When the driver is not mature enough to be a world star, they’re already putting huge pressure [the Ferrari fans], and then come on. ‘Did you hear the interview from Kimi Antonelli, that he said this and that?’ 16 years old, come on!

“Let him live, you understand what I mean? Working for another team that is foreign in Italy, for sure, has been a huge advantage for Antonelli and I’m glad that he is racing for Mercedes.”